Carlisle United under-18s were beaten 5-1 by Wigan Athletic in a tough afternoon at Christopher Park.
Five first-half from the Latics proved to be the difference between the two sides, despite Josh Wade’s consolation.
The Blues created the first chance of the game, with Reuben Towers coming close to giving United the lead, but his effort was scrambled away by Wigan’s ‘keeper.
The hosts would take the lead just two minutes later when they were able to break the Blues’ offside trap, before their number nine finished cooly past Brad Robinson.
United nearly levelled instantly from kick-off when Towers won the ball high up the pitch, but his effort was smothered by the opposition goalkeeper.
The Latics would get their second goal of the afternoon on the eight minute mark after the ball was flashed across the Blues’ box, before getting turned in by the same goalscorer.
Robinson was the busier of the two goalkeepers throughout the match, and had to produce a top-class save to stop Wigan getting their third goal of the afternoon.
Seven minutes later the hosts would get their third goal soon after however, when they finished off a great team move.
They would get their fourth goal just before the 40th minute after a clever free-kick routine was converted with a volley from the edge of the box.
Wigan would round off a tough first-half for the Blues by getting their fifth and final goal when a ball was again played across the box before being converted at the back post.
HALF-TIME: Wigan Athletic 5-0 Carlisle United
Two minutes after the restart to the second-half Tyler Cumersky came close to pulling a goal back, but his header was tipped over the bar.
The hosts would continue to create chances; Robinson had to pull of several reflex saves to keep the deficit at five.
With just under half an hour to go, Josh Wade pulled a goal back for the Blues after he forced the goalkeeper into a mistake before producing a composed finish.
One of the main positives from a largely disappointing game was the return of Amaru Smith from injury, who was able to play 25 minutes, his first of pre-season.
United nearly got another goal when Towers showed some brilliant footwork to beat multiple Wigan defenders, but his shot ended up clipping the post.
The young Blues kept pushing to find another goal but couldn't find one.
FULL-TIME: Wigan Athletic 5-1 Carlisle United
Goals:
Carlisle United: (Wade 62’)
Team:
Robinson, Moynan, Thwaites, Murphy, Miller (Towers 60’), Boertien (Hodgson 80’), Wade, Hodgson (Muldoon 66’), Wheatley (Smith 66’), Muldoon (Stuart 55’), Towers (Cumersky 38’)